DRIVING US CRAZY Traffic trouble ahead
COMMONWEALTH Games organisers are being warned to focus on public transport solutions after a new report calculates that there will be almost a quarter more traffic on the road during the event.
The Gold Coast Bulletin has obtained a copy of an economic modelling report by Griffith University which forecasts that “road passenger transport increases significantly” by 22 per cent during 2018 on the Coast.
“This reflects the level of passenger movements during the Games as well as the productivity gain of transportation that Gold Coast light rail stage 2 delivers to the region,” the report said.
The findings should ensure organisers “maximise the use of public transport to avoid road congestion” and accidents during the event in April next year.
The report, by five academics at the university’s tourism and business schools, found the Games would provide 18,240 jobs in Australia with 10,860 on the Coast and 2681 in Brisbane.
During the post-Games period, the event would provide 459 full-time equivalent jobs in Queensland.
The Games will require government funding of $2 billion between 2011-20 and public-private investment of $551 million on the Parklands Village and $327 million on new and upgraded venues like the Village Roadshow soundstage.
The Government had accelerated investment on the $420 million light rail stage two, the $163 million Coomera to Helensvale rail duplication and $160 million on major roads.
Analysis shows that every dollar spent on the Games will add 99¢ to the economy in terms of future growth.
Brisbane and other regions of Queensland will lose hundreds of jobs in the lead-up to the event as employment focuses on the Glitter Strip.
Of the $3 billion spent on staging the Games across a nine-year time line, $1.8 billion is being provided by the government sector with most of that from the State Government.
About $64 million is expected to be delivered from ticket sales but the amount of direct revenue from broadcast rights and sponsorship is removed from the newly released public document.
The broadcast and sponsorship revenue in total spending will be about 8 per cent, slightly higher than the 6.5 per cent for the 2006 Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Of the 672,000 visitors, 356,000 will be day trippers and 265,000 domestic overnight visitors. About 6000 athletes and officials will stay on the Coast along with 50,000 overseas visitors.
Advertising of the Games is expected to generate about $37 million of extra visitors with tourism from Commonwealth countries increasing by 4 per cent after the event.
The big winner post Games would be the film industry after both Thor and Aquaman movies were shot on the Coast, the report said.